Students in Dr. Bob Fisher's Macro Practice in the Graduate School of Social Work are seeking to link asthma levels in children with Houston's poor air quality.
According to Fisher, "The epidemic growth of asthma is a serious collective and environmental problem tied to issues of power, policy and social change efforts."
Fisher claims there is a long history of official denial of harmful air pollution levels.
Recent research has indicated that air pollution is a possible cause of asthma. Sheri Gruener, an allergy technician with Dr. Steven F. Hotze's practice, confirms pollution is a definite problem with asthma patients. According to Gruener, their office sees asthma patients "like clockwork when pollution levels are high."
In 1996, Houston's ozone pollution levels exceeded the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission standards of air pollution 25 days. These days occurred primarily between April and October and led to an increase in asthma cases.
Children may be exposed to higher pollution levels during the months of May through August.
Various organizations in Houston are working to increase an awareness of the dangers associated with air pollution levels. However, some legislators in Austin are working to lessen restrictions on the Clean Air Act with House Bill 1578.
This bill relates to the definition of air pollution and removes "odor" as a descriptive term. This could negatively impact pollution levels in the Houston area.
If your good health is important to you, be involved by contacting your local representative on the issue of clean air.
Gober and Macklin are graduate students of social work.